Dr Moakala Changkiri
In the quiet village of Porba in Phek district, a remarkable shift in farming practices has begun with the efforts of Puhulu, a progressive farmer who has become an inspiration for her community.
Until recently, onion was never cultivated in her fields. For years, Puhulu had grown only the common crops of the region. However, under the guidance of Dr Moakala Changkiri, Scientist, AICRP (VC), SAS, Nagaland University & Project Incharge of NEH Component of Onion and Garlic, SAS, Medziphema, Nagaland University funded by ICAR–DOGR, Pune, she was introduced to onion and garlic cultivation during 2023. Through this initiative, she received quality onion & garlic seeds from ICAR-DOGR, Pune; inputs like shadenet, combo sprayers, farm tools and biopesticides that would set her on a new journey.
With guidance from NEH Component of Onion & Garlic, Puhulu decided to try onion cultivation for the very first time. To her surprise, the crop not only thrived in the climatic conditions of Porba but also produced large, healthy bulbs without the use of manures or chemical fertilizers. This success exceeded her expectations and revealed the immense potential of onion cultivation in the area.
What made her journey even more special was her own innovation in nursery raising of onion. Using her traditional knowledge, she created a nursery bed with locally available bamboo, a simple yet effective method that ensured healthy seedlings. This innovation not only minimized costs but also demonstrated how local resources and traditional wisdom can be combined with scientific inputs for better results.
What started as a trial soon became a turning point for the village. Today she is cultivating onion in about 0.07 acres of land. Seeing Puhulu’s success, other farmers of Porba grew interested in onion farming. Many have now begun cultivating onions—some on a larger scale for marketing and others in small patches for household consumption. This has not only introduced a new source of income but also reduced family expenditure on buying onions from outside markets.
Puhulu’s journey would not have been possible without the dedicated efforts of Potsülü Thelüo, Agriculture Officer, Dept. of Agriculture, GoN, who played a vital role in connecting farmers with the right initiatives and resources. Her guidance and encouragement have been instrumental in spreading awareness and inspiring more farmers to embrace onion cultivation.
Today, Puhulu proudly stands as a pioneer of onion cultivation in her village. Her efforts have shown that with the right support and willingness to adapt, farmers can diversify their crops and improve their livelihoods.
She remains deeply grateful to NEH Component of Onion and Garlic, SAS Medziphema and ICAR–DOGR Pune for equipping marginal farmers like her with the knowledge and inputs to explore new opportunities.
Puhulu’s story is more than just about farming onions—it is about innovation, inspiration, and the courage to embrace change, paving the way for an entire community to progress together.
